Fluid drying apparatus



June 29, 1965 P. L. FISCHER FLUID DRYING APPARATUS Original Filed July19. 1961 United States Patent 3,191,210 FLUID DRYING APPARATUS Philip L.Fischer, 4251 Hunter St, Long Island City, N.Y. Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 125,171, July 19, 1961. This application May 9,1963,5121. No. 279,290 6 Claims. (Cl. -307) This application is acontinuation of my co-pending U.S. patent application, Serial No.125,171, filed July 19, 1961, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to the manufacture of plastic materials and morespecifically to a device for removing water from strands of extrudedplastic while they are traveling from a water bath to a grindingstation.

In the manufacture of certain plastics, the raw materials in the form ofpowder are put into an extruder where they are subjected to mixing, heatand pressure. The partially processed plastic emerges from the extruderas a ribbon or fibre and is next fed into a tank of liquid where it ischilled and set. The plastic is then led into a grinder where it iscomminuted. The plastic emerges from the grinder in particles of thedesired size. In order to prevent the liquid from the hardening bathfrom getting into the grinder it is necessary to interpose apparatus fordrying, wiping or otherwise removing the water which adheres to theplastic.

In practice, the plastic is extruded in the form of a group of fibres orfilaments of small diameter, these fibres being soft and fragile andbeing guided from the extruding machine through the liquid bath and thento the grinding machine. It is not possible to dry these fibres bywiping because of their tendency to stretch and break when physicallycontacted.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice for driving water from the surfaces of the plastic fibres beforethey reach the grinder. Another object of the present invention is toprovide a device for removing the water from plastic in a continuousoperation and without mechanical contact with the surfaces of the groupof plastic fibres.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a water removingdevice which is adapted to treat a Wide variety of fibre grouparrangements and sizes as well as various types of plastic.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a waterremoving device which will operate uniformly over many strands ofplastic at the same time. i A feature of the present invention is itsuse of spaced nozzle members for directing a stream of air against thesurfaces of the individual strands in the group of plastic fibrespassing therebetween.

Another feature of the present invention is its conical shaped nozzlefor applying a uniform stream of air across a wide row of plasticfibres.

Still another feature of the present invention is its use of anadjustable nozzle for directing the stream of air where it is needed.

A further feature of the present invention is its use of an adjustableorifice member for concentrating the air where it is most needed.

In accordance wit-h the invention herein, plastic is fed in the form ofa group of soft filaments from an extruding machine, and is guidedthrough a liquid bath and then to a grinding machine. Between the liquidbath and the grinding machine, the plastic filaments are guided betweena pair of blower nozzles having elongated slots directing streams of airin a direction opposite to the direction of feed of the plasticfilaments so as to remove .the liquid from the filaments, in the mannerof an air squeegee, before the filaments enter the grinding machine.

3,191,210 Patented June 29, 1365 "ice The blower nozzles are angularlyadjustable so that they may be set to cause the air streams to convergeon opposite sides of the filaments for removing liquid uniformly andcompletely therefrom regardless of the size of the individual filamentsor the number of filaments in the group. Means are also provided on theblower nozzles to radjustably vary the lengths of the nozzle slots toconform to the width of the group of filaments passing therebetween.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following specification when taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat digrammatic view in side elevation of a completeplastic processing unit illustrating the location of the variousprocessing stations in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the water removing apparatuswith a group of plastic strands passing therethrough; 1

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the nozzles shown inFIG. 2, illustrating the manner in which the nozzle air streams removethe liquid from the plastic filaments passing therebetween;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2, andshowing the toggle clamp assembly in open position in full line, and inclosed position in broken line;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken through the upperblower nozzle 25 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings and specifically to FIG. 1, 10 indicates anextruding machine such as iswell-known in the art, for the manufactureof plastic materials. Plastic in powder form as well as other materialssuch as plasticizers, fillers, and the like are poured into the hopper11 of the extruder 1t) and emerge from the extruder in the form of agroup or row of continuous filaments or ribbons 12. The filaments 12 aresoft and somewhat tacky or rubbery and are led into a liquid bath 13underneath a roller 14. After the filaments 12 have traversed the bath13, they emerge as partially set strands or ribbons, indicated in FIGS.1 and 2 at 15. A certain amount of the liquid 16 within the bath 13adheres to the plastic filaments 15 and must be removed before thefilaments enter the grinding machine 17. The removal of the liquid isaccomplished, according to my invention, by a blower apparatus generallyindicated at 18 in FIG. 1. The blower apparatus 18 is interposed betweenthe grinder 17 and the bath 13.

FIG. 2 illustratesthe blower apparatus 18 in greater detail. It will beseen that the blower apparatus 18 includes a hollow base housing 18aupon which is mounted an electric motor 19. The output shaft of motor 19is secured to a fan or impeller 20 for rotation of the latter within ahousing 21 which is also mounted on base 18a and communicates with aduct 22. The duct 22 is vertically disposed and terminates in twobranches 23, 24 which extend horizontally in spaced relationship to eachother. The duct branches 23, 24 each terminate in a flange 34 ofcircular cross-section.

Blowing nozzles 25 and 26 are mounted upon the flanges 34 of therespective duct branches 23, 24 in communication therewith. The blowingnozzles 25, 26 are hollow and are substantially conical orfustro-conical in shape, being closed at their outer ends. Each nozzle25 and 26 is provided with an elongated orifice or slot 27 which islongitudinally disposed and is formed with outwardly-turned lips 28 oneach side of the longitudinal margins thereof, as shown in FIG. 6.Slidable tab members 29 and 30 are slidably mounted at the ends of eachorifice or slot 27 by engagement of their side walls with the lips 28.The tabs finger pieces 31, as shown in FIG. 5,so that they can'be slidback and forth longitudinally of their respective slot 27 to adjust thelengths of said orifices or-slots 27.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the nozzles 25, '26 are slipped over thecircular terminal flanges 34 of the respective duct branches 23, 24 andare secured thereto by any suitable releasable locking means. Forexample, one such locking means is shown in the nature of a toggleassembly mounted on a split ring 32carried at the open end of eachnozzle 25, 26 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. Each split ring 32 isformed with an ear. 33 at each, side of its split portion, and togglelevers 35 and 36 are 29, 30 are provided with V the nozzle 25, 26, it issubstantially dry and can be sent meet the requirements of the extruder10.

a the air can be achieved. 7

Becauseyof the adjustability of the blowing nozzles, the correct anglefor blowing the water or liquid off the plastic can be arrived at sothat the maximum benefit of While a preferred embodiment of theinvention has I been shown and described herein, it is obvious thatnupivotally mounted on said ears 33". A strap 37 is pivotally connected.at each end to the respective toggle levers 35 and 36 and extendstherebetween. When the toggle V the toggle levers 35, 36 areturneddownwardly, as'shown inbroken line inFIG. 4, and as shown in FIG. 2,stretch-' ing the strap 37 tightly therebetween andreducing the internaldiameter of the ring 32 to such an extent that the inner. surface ofring 32 tightly grasps theduct circular flange 34 and locks the nozzle25or 26against rotation.

merous omissions, changes and additions may be made in such embodimentwithout departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is: i a I V V 1. Apparatus-for removing liquid from a groupof soft plasticfibres continuouslymoving from an extruding machine to agrinding machine, said apparatus comprising a sourceof airunderpressure, 'a duct connected to said source of air and having apairof spaced branch portions terminating in outlet openings, asubstantially conical nozzle member connected to each of said branchportionsand having an open end of large diameter communicating with theoutlet opening OffSald branch portion Instead of the aforementionedtoggle assemblies, other,

suitablermeans may be employed to releasably lock'the nozzles inadjusted angular positions, for example, clamping screws may be used forthis purpose as illustrated in w my aforementioned US. patentapplication,'Serial No.

Sincethe nozzles 25, 26 are of generally conical shape, having theirlargest cross-sectional area at their open ends and progressivelydecreasing in area toward their closed ends, the air feeding through theslots or orifices 27 will have a constant velocity along the length ofeach slot 27. Liquid on the fibers or strips of plastic 15 passingbetween the nozzles 25, 26 will therefore be blown off uniformly alongthe entire width of the group of plastic fibers or strips. v

The extruding machine 10 is of the usual and wellknown construction, andis therefore not illustrated in detail. It is adaptedto convert thematerials fed therein and a closed end of small diameter, anelongatednarrow slit in each nozzle member extending longitudinally thereof,adjustable means forguiding the group of fibers in a freely-suspendedlinear row centrally between said opposite sides of said group of fiberswith the nozzle members adjustable to direct streams of air at highpressure to said opposite sides in a direction opposite to the directionof feed for, squeegeei ng moisture off said fibres before said fibresreach said grinding machine.

2. Apparatus for removing liquid from a group of softportionsterminating in outlet openings, a substantially into softplastic and to extrude this soft plastic in the particular extrudingmachine and the extruding head ema,

ployed therein. The grinding machine 17 is also of well knownconstruction, being adapted to grindqup or chop up the plastic filamentsor ribbons fed thereto into f ne I From the foregoing, the operation theassembly will become apparent. Theplastic filaments 15 continuparticlesor powder.

ously fe'edingfrom the extruding machine. 10 are led through the liquidbath 13 beneath roller 14, and are then guided between the nozzles 25and 26; The fila- :ments 15 are centered between the slots or orifices27 of thernozzles, and are held' in this position by. adjustable guidearms 38, 39 slidably mounted in clamping'sleeves' '40 faflixed to theduct 22, as shown in FIGLZ. The guide arms 38, 39 may be raised orlowered to center the filaments 15 between the orifices 27, depending onthe thickness of the filaments and the angular adjustment of'thenozzles.

I With motor 19 driving thelfan 20, air is emitted at high velocity fromthe nozzle slots or orifices 27, and the nozzles areangularly adjustedsuchthat the airstrear'ns converge on the plastic filaments 15 in adirection op conical nozzle member connected to each of said branchportions having an open end of large diameter and a closed end of smalldiameter, a cylindrical flange bordering and extending outwardly fromthe, outlet opening of each branch portion, the open end of each nozzlemember being rotatably mounted on a'respective flange and communicatingwith the respective duct outlet opening,

an elongated narrow slit in each nozzle member-extendinglongitudinallythereof, adjustable means for guiding said fibresin a freely-suspendedlinear row centrally between the nozzle members whereby said nozzlemembers are rotatable about their longitudinal axes for angularadjustment to direct converging air streams opposite to the direction offeed for squeegeeing moisture off said fibres before said fibresreach-said grinding machine.

' 3. Apparatus for removing liquid from a group of soft plasticflfibrescontinuously moving from an extruding machine through a liquid bathto agrinding machine, said I apparatus comprising a source. of air, underpressure, a

posite to the direction of feed of the plastic. Liquid adhering to. theplastic 15. isblown in av direction back duct connected to'said sourceof air and having a pair of spaced branch portions terminating in outletopenings, a substantially conical nozzle member connected to each ofsaid branch portions and having an open end of large diametercommunicating with the outlet opening of said branch portion and aclosed end of small diameter, an

elongated narrow slot irieach nozzle member extending longitudinallythereof, said nozzle members being arranged in spaced, substantiallyparallel relationship rela-' tive to each other adjustable meansforguiding" said group of plastic fibres in a freely-suspended linear rowcentrally between said spaced nozzle members and perpendicular to theslotstherein after said fibres have left said liquid bath and beforesaid fibres reach said grinding machine, and means for angularlyadjusting said nozzle members about their longitudinal axes to directconverging streams of air at high pressure to opposite sides of saidgroup of fibres in a direction opposite to the direction of feed forsqueegeeing moisture off said fibres before said fibres reach saidgrinding machine.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which a cylindrical flange bordersand extends outwardly from the outlet end of each branch portion, theopen ends of said nozzle members being rotatably mounted on therespective flanges, said adjusting means comprising means for releasablyclamping each nozzle member to the respective flange in an angularlyadjusted position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which each of the nozzle memberscarries a pair of tab members slidably mounted adjacent the elongatedslot in said nozzle member, each of said tab members being slidablelongitudinally over said slot between a position in which it covers aportion of said slot and a position in which it uncovers said slot,whereby to adjust the length of said slot to conform to the'width of thegroup of fibres.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which an adjustable guiding meanscomprising a pair of rods arranged parallel to the longitudinal axes ofsaid nozzle members and to each other and an adjustable mounting memberfor each of said rods, said mounting members mounting said rods onopposite sides of said nozzle members and permitting selective movementthereof to aligned positions in which said rods are located centrallybetween the planes of said nozzle member slots.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,590,417 6/26Brunk 34 -160 X 1,674,414 6/28 Ridley 15-3062 2,330,395 9/43 Sullivan34-460 X 2,481,197 9/49 Caille 15--306.1 2,746,086 5/56 Vickers 18-4752,887,725 5/59 Vickers et al. 1847.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 515,270 2/55 Italy.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, Primary Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LIQUID FROM A GROUP OF SOFT PLASTIC FIBRESCONTINUOUSLY MOVING FROM AN EXTRUDING MACHINE TO A GRINDING MACHINE,SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A SOURCE OF AIR UNDER PRESURE, A DUCTCONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE OF AIR AND HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED BRANCHPORTIONS TERMINATING IN OUTLET OPENINGS, A SUBSTANTIALLY CONICAL NOZZLEMEMBER CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID BRANCH PORTIONS AND HAVING AN OPEN ENDOF LARGE DIAMETER COMMUNICATING WITH THE OUTLET OPENING OF SAID BRANCHPORTION AND A CLOSED END OF SMALL DIAMETER, AN ELONGATED NARROW SLIT INEACH NOZZLE MEMBER EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, ADJUSTABLE MEANSFOR GUIDING THE GROUP OF FIBERS IN A FREELY-SUSPENDED LINEAR ROWCENTRALLY BETWEEN SAID NOZZLE MEMBERS, THE NOZZLE MEMBERS BEING LOCATEDON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID GROUP OF FIBERS WITH THE NOZZLE MEMBERSADJUSTABLE TO DIRECT STREAMS OF AIR AT HIGH PRESSURE TO SAID OPPOSITESIDES IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO THE DIRECTION OF FEED FOR SQUEEGEEINGMOISTURE OFF SAID FIBRES BEFORE SAID FIBRES EACH REACH SAID GRINDINGMACHINE.